HEARTLINES recently held a Fathers Matter leaders’ workshop at Seed of Hope, to discuss the national crisis of absent fathers in South Africa.
The event, led by Craig Bouchier, Heartlines’ KZN project lead, was aimed at church and community leaders.
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“Our non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with Seed of Hope and Fathers Matter ambassadors from the Durban South Basin, is committed to empowering leaders who are passionate about addressing the issue of fatherlessness and promoting the positive influence of men,” he said.
Key topics included why fathers matter, barriers to a father being present in children’s lives, the important role that social fathers can make and dealing with ‘father wounds’.
Research presented during the workshop highlighted the severe impact of father absence, where nearly 70% of children are growing up without their biological fathers.
“Children who grow up without the active, positive presence of men in their lives are at risk of violence, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health disorders, teenage pregnancy, and poor educational and economic outcomes,” said Bouchier.
The Fathers Matter initiative, which promotes active and positive involvement, whether physically present or not, emphasises that the quality of fatherhood matters more than the proximity.
“Some men can be around physically but not there emotionally for their children. They can also be present but have a negative effect. On the other hand, they can be physically far away but still be positively and emotionally involved in their lives,” said Bouchier.
Although the event was well-attended, they had hoped for a slightly larger crowd. “A heartfelt thanks to Seed of Hope for hosting us and to all the dedicated ambassadors for their tireless efforts in organising the workshop,” said Bouchier.
For more information or resources, visit Heartlines.
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